appeared at the May 22, 2026 finale, McCartney appeared with Paul McCartney; the closing moment showed the Ed Sullivan Theater swallowed by a wormhole, inside a snow globe; the broadcast featured Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, as Colbert critiqued corporate influence in entertainment; it marked the end of a 33-year CBS late-night era for Colbert. The wrap included appearances by Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, and the program also spotlighted Colbert's critique of corporate influence in entertainment; the ending echoed a famous TV finale motif with the theater frozen in a snow globe, signaling the end of an era for CBS late-night.
Colbert's last 'Late Show' featured Paul McCartney, among other celebrity guests, and one final critique of Trump, Paramount and the state of late-night TV.
www.sfchronicle.comStephen Colbert hosted "The Late Show" for the final time Thursday night as the franchise came to an end after 33 years.
www.cbsnews.comTVLine recaps Stephen Colbert's star-studded Late Show finale, featuring Paul McCartney, Strike Force Five, and an interdimensional wormhole.
www.tvline.comStephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' ended Thursday with a reality-bending wormhole, Strike Force Five, and a song.
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